The paper cutter choke uses your leg across their neck combined with collar and arm controls. It is called "paper cutter" due to the cutting motion.
From side control or mount, position your leg across their neck. Secure a collar grip with one hand and control their arm with the other.
The pressure comes from both your leg and your collar control. Timing and body position are critical for effectiveness.
Opponents can defend by keeping their chin down, controlling your leg, or bridging to create space.
Most practitioners develop functional competency with Paper Cutter Choke within 3β6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery β the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents β typically takes 1β2 years.
Yes. Paper Cutter Choke is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.
3β5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time β consistency matters more than volume.
BJJ is a linked system. Paper Cutter Choke flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.
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Get Free Access βThe key is to control your opponent's posture and head position. By keeping their head low and their body tight to yours, you limit their ability to create space and defend the choke. A strong grip on their collar and a tight shoulder across their neck are crucial.
A common mistake is not getting your shoulder deep enough across the neck, which allows your opponent to escape. Another error is not securing a tight grip on the collar, giving them room to breathe and defend. Ensure your shoulder is firmly against their carotid artery.
While most commonly seen from side control or mount, variations of the Paper Cutter Choke can be adapted. The core principle of using your shoulder and forearm to compress the carotid artery remains, but the setup and control will differ significantly based on the dominant position.